Africa’s most fascinating reptilian creatures | Tunde Folawiyo

January 13, 2014 Editor

The African lion, a creature whose prowess and strength many people including Tunde Folawiyo have always appreciated, is often referred to as the king of the savannah; however, the reptile species which creep amongst the rocks and bushes of this landscape have been around for far longer, and are, in many ways, more well-adapted to this harsh and often challenging environment. Whilst perhaps not quite as majestic in appearance as the lion, the habits and adaptations of reptiles make them fascinating nonetheless.

The term reptile actually refers to a wide variety of animals, including tuatara, lizards, snakes, crocodiles and turtles. One of Africa’s most well-known reptilian creatures is the Nile crocodile; this sub-species is famed for both its size and its predatory nature. It is found primarily along the continent’s southern, eastern and central countries, and usually resides in aquatic areas like marshlands and rivers. The Nile crocodile’s senses are extremely acute, enabling them to hunt their prey with great stealth, despite their enormous size.

Their nostrils, ears and eyes are all located on the top of the cranium, meaning that they can easily remain submerged beneath the water’s surface, whilst still smelling, listening to and watching their prey. Their colouring also allows them to seamlessly blend in with the murky waters of the marshlands and rivers. They are nocturnal in nature, preferring to hunt at night. Whilst they find it easiest to catch and eat fish, Nile crocodiles have been known to consume much larger creatures, including wildebeest, hippos and zebras.

Another, far less aggressive reptile which many wildlife fanatics including Tunde Folawiyo are familiar with is the Leopard tortoise, a creature whose habitat stretches from the southern Cape to Sudan. They tend to favour areas of scrub or grassland, as this allows them to use the bushes as shelter from the hot temperatures of the midday sun.

This tortoise’s name is derived from the pattern and colours on its shell; it is typically yellow or tawny in colour, with brown and black spots. They use this shell as a means of protecting themselves from predators, tucking their heads and feet away when they sense they are threatened. Their paddle-like shape of their feet means that, unlike most other tortoises, they can move along the ground with a surprising amount of speed, even on rocky terrain. They also have the ability to climb, although they rarely indulge in this activity, unless there is a predator chasing them.